Israel approved Qatar to participate in drilling in the gas field in Lebanon, despite the fact that the countries do not have diplomatic relations. Qatar is expected to replace the Russian company that was supposed to be part of the combination of companies of the French Total
Israel approved Qatar to participate in drilling in the gas field in Lebanon, even though the countries do not have diplomatic relations. Qatar is expected to replace the Russian company that was supposed to be part of the combination of companies of the French Total and the Italian ENI. The move is in the process of approval in Lebanon, as reported by Gili Cohen in ‘Khan Haudas’.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Israel was given the right of veto regarding the approval of the additional company that will operate within the consortium in the drilling of the Kana field – the Lebanese Drilling. The one who led the move is the Ministry of Energy, which confirmed that Qatar could be involved in the activity – but there would be up to 30 percent control by the Qataris.
This move is also significant against the background of the fact that there are no official diplomatic relations between Israel and Qatar, although there are significant talks between senior Qatari and Israeli officials. At the same time, as part of the agreement with the Total company, Israel received a right of veto in the approval of the additional company that will operate in the field in Kana.